Alfred George Ferris

1936 - 2023

Al Ferris was born in Massachusetts, the youngest child of Lebanese immigrants who had eloped to the U.S. as teenagers. The family ran a restaurant and bar in Lanesborough for many years. Following the death of Al's father in 1945, they moved to San Diego, California.

Al attended Herbert Hoover High School and received undergraduate and law degrees from Stanford University, where he met Jeannie, his wife of 53 years. They were first introduced at a football game and married five months after Al proposed.

In 1964, Al was admitted to the California Bar and served as a law clerk to the Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. He formed a private practice in 1968 and specialized in corporate law, business litigation, labor, biotechnology, telecommunications, and estate planning. He served as an arbitrator and mediator in hundreds of disputes and was a member of the National Panel of Arbitrators of the American Arbitration Association. He was a former Vice Chair of the International Society of Primerus Law Firms. Al was a mentor to both aspiring and long-practicing attorneys alike.

He loved San Diego and supported the greater community in a variety of ways; he was a regular patron of the Old Globe Theater and Coronado Lamb's Players Theater; he served on many local boards and committees throughout his lifetime; he was involved in volunteer work with area charter schools, the San Diego Public Library, and several biotech firms. Al was also a dedicated Padres fan, holding season tickets for decades. However, he gave up on the Chargers when they moved back to Los Angeles and broke his heart.

Al knew San Diego like the back of his hand, every side street, shortcut, and secret parking spot. He could tell you the best places to get tacos, seafood, and cold beer. He loved history, politics, traveling the world, going on road trips, and eating breakfast at Jimmy Carter's on 5th Ave.

Al is preceded in death by his parents, four siblings, and beloved wife. He is survived by two daughters, a son-in-law, one grandchild, two grand dogs, three grand cats, and many great friends whom he cherished deeply.

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date.